Method of removing paint, enamel, etc.



Dec. 11, 1923. 1,476,909

L. c. MOORE ET AL METHOD OF REMOVING PAINT, ENAMEL, ETC

Filed Aug. 5', 1919 Patented Deco 11, 1923.

LANDON C, MOORE AND WILLIAM T. -TACKSON, 0F DALLAS, TEXAS; SAID JAGKSQNASSIGNOR T0 SAID MOORE.

METHOD OF REMOVING PAINT, ENAMEL, ETC.

Application filed August 5, 1919. Serial Ito. 315,380.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, LANDON C. Moore: andWILLIAM T. JAoKsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Dallas,in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented .certain newand useful Improvements in Methods of Removing Paint, Enamel, Eta, ofwhich the following is a specification.

()ur invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in methodof removing paint, enamel, varnish and such like compositions, and whileobviously it is applicable to the removal of paint, etc., from allobjects, nevertheless it is particularly directed to the removal ofpaint, varnish, etc., from automobile bodies and associated parts.

The primary object of the invention is'to provide a process which willeffectively and expeditiously remove these compositions by the use of asolution which attacks the paint or enamel and which is impacted againstthe latter by a fluid under pressure so as to prac-- tically effectcutting of and disintegration and removal of the paint, enamel or what--ever the composition to be removed'rnight be, in a simple and quickoperation.

In the drawings the figure is an elevation of one form of an apparatusby which the process is carried intopractice.

Tn proceeding in accordance with the present invention the apparatuspreferably employed embodies a tank 1, in which the solution is storedcomposed of any of the alkalies, such as caustic ,soda, caustic potash,or soda ash, mixed with soap or soap powder and with either hot or coldwater. A. valved connection 2 leads from tank 1 to a tank 3, the tank 3being supplied with a thermometer 3 for indicating the temperature ofthe solution which should be at least 212 deg. or at a boiling pointbefore leaving the tank, the tank being subject to the heating action ofa gas heater 4 or equivalent. A valved connection 5 leads from tank 3and delivers into a compressed air tank 6, the several tanks beingpreferably arranged sov that the solution will gravitate from 1 to- 3and from the latter into 6. This, however, is optional.

The tank 6 derives its compressed air from an air storage tank 7,through a valved connection 8, and in turn receives its supply of airfrom a compressed air pump 9 driven by a motor 10. Under'the tank 6 isarranged a heater 6 similar to heater 41, by means of which the solutionmay be still further heated while under pressure of the air to say 350deg. ifvnecess'ary, such application of the heat while the solution isunder pressure allowing a much higher temperature to be attained thanwould be possible without such pressure. A flexible hose or the like 11leads from the compressed air tank 6 and is equipped with a'sprayer ornozzle 12 at its outer end. A temperature gage 6 for the solution and apressure gage 6 for the air pressure areprovided, the air pressurenormally at 50 to 100 lbs.

Assuming an automobile body is to have paint, enamel or such likeremoved therefrom, the same is brought into proximity to the'hose andsolution from tank 1 is pernritted to gravitate into tank 3, where undertheinfluence of the heat from the heater 4:, its temperature will beraised to at least boiling point or 212 deg. until the solution issufiiciently hot. Thevalves-in connection 5; are then opened, thuspermitting the solution to gravitate into tank 6 where it seeks thebottom of the tank in a still heated state. The valves of connection 5are now closed and those of connection 8 opened, allowing the compressedair to enter the tank 6, and acting upon the hot solution thereincontained forces the latter through the flexible hose 11, through whichit egresses and is sprayed onto the paint of the object being operatedupon. Where the paint or composition is very tenacious or difi'icult ofremoval, the heater 6 may be utilized. For ordinary purposes, however,the heater 4;- is sufiicient, but heater 6 may be used without heater4:, and vice versa.

The solution is thus impacted under considerable: pressure against thepaint, the solution acting to soften the paint, while the air pressuresimultaneously functions to disintegrate the paint and forcibly separatethe same from the object. The solution attacks the paint to initiatedisintegration, while the synchronous action of the fluid (air) underpressure, effects completion and removal of the particles so initiallydisintegrated. Thus the paint is easily and quickly removed.

The apparatus shown is merely by way of example and the compressed fluidemployed is to be considered as comprehending all fluids suitable forthe purpose.

Having thus described the nature and ob jects of our invention, what weclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A process of removing. finish-coating from a finished-coated surface,which comprises atomizing against such surface, by the agency of a blastof air, an alkaline liquor capable of disintegrating the said finishcoating, such liquor being hot when applied to said surface.

2. A process of removing finish coating from a finished-coated surface,which comprises atomizing against such surface, by the agency of ablastof air, analkaline liquor capable of disintegrating the said finishcoating, and such liquor being hot when applied to said surface, suchliquor comprising a solution of an alkali metal hydroxid and an alkalineearth metal hydroxid.

3. A process of removing finish coating from a finished-coated surface,which coniprises atomizing against such su-rface,by the agency of ablast of air, an alkaline liquor capable of disintegrating the saidfinish coating, such liquor being hot when applied to said surface, andthereafter washing oil' the loosened coating.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

LANDON C. MOORE. WILLIAM T. J AGKSON.

